The pocket beagle, also known as a mini beagle, toy beagle or teacup beagle, is a smaller version of the Beagle dog breed.
These fun-sized dogs are known for having an incredible sense of smell and are often used as narcotics dogs at airports, in the police force and of course as integral members of the DEA.
These fun-loving dogs are actually pure breds, and are incredibly affectionate with their owners and families.
Pocket beagles make for awesome playmates as they are incredibly energetic and easy-going.
History
The history of the beagle breed is quite interesting.
There are dogs that resemble modern day beagles as well as being known for their exquisite sense of smell and tracking/hunting prowess, that can be dated back to 5th century Greek civilizations.
The pocket beagle breed was first recognized in England sometime in the 15th century. Queen Elizabeth the first owned a number of these specialty dogs, who earned their name by often riding in her pocket or saddle bags as accompaniment on hunts.
The birthplace of the modern Beagle breed is Essex, England, somewhere in the 1830’s. Reverend Philip Honeywood established his own group of dogs that resembled the modern day beagle.
In 1902 a formal evaluation of the beagle breed’s presence revealed that there were around 44 packs of Beagles in existence, which indicated an increase of over 100% in only ten years.
The first formally created standard Beagle bloodline in North America was strategically bred and developed by General Richard Rowett. He successfully imported English Beagles in the early 1870’s. In 1885, The American Kennel Club officially recognized the Beagle breed as its own.
Since the dawn of the 20th century, the Beagle breed has been spreading throughout the world. Its hunting reputation has been somewhat diminished as other high quality hunting breeds have surfaced, but it's companionship and scent tracking abilities have at the same time been made very apparent.
Nowadays, beagles are a huge part of US Homeland Security operations, and are an important part of ensuring that our borders and airlines are always safe and secure.
However, pocket beagles are bred solely for companionship, as their normal sized counterparts are best suited for the important jobs.
Dimensions
As the name itself describes, pocket beagles are a miniature version of a purebred beagle. Here are the important dimensions to remember.
Size: 7 – 12 inches (height)
Weight: 7 – 15 pounds
Temperament
Pocket beagles are known for being incredibly gentle, lively and curious dogs that are affectionate and love basically everyone they come across!
These compact versions of the standard beagle are very sociable, intelligent and curious dogs that can be excellent with children if properly socialized at a young age.
It is also important to remember that these dogs are generally great with other dogs as well, but should be monitored when exposed to other animals such as cats, as non-canine animal interactions have been known to be potentially volatile.
One thing that is universally accepted about the pocket beagle, as well as its normal sized counterparts, is the fact that this breed can be very mischievous, and may get up to no good if left alone for too long.
It is advised that owners do their best to keep them from getting bored, challenge them mentally and physically with good toys, as this is when they will tend to get into trouble.
Finally, when it comes to the pocket beagle’s relative noise capacity, they are in fact known for being quite loud and obnoxious in some cases. These dogs will produce howls that despite their small size, boast volumes that can be heard from down the street.
If they are not reprimanded by their owner for constant barking and howling, and their bad behaviour is left untrained, they will continue with their obnoxious ways and can become household annoyances.
Pocket Beagle Puppy Price
The price of a pocket beagle puppy can range from as little as $200 to upwards of $2000.
There is no standard price for all pocket beagle breeders to adhere to, and the cost will vary depending on a number of factors such as quality, location, season, and relative health requirements.
The cost of adopting a pocket beagle is much more affordable than purchasing from a breeder. It is expected to cost on average $300.
This covers the initial adoption price, as well as to cover all other associated adoption expenses.
Color Variations
The beagle is one of the dog breeds that has the most potential color variations available for prospective owners to choose from.
Here are some of the main Beagle coat color variations that are defined and accepted by the American Kennel Club:
- Black, Tan & White (common)
- Black & Tan (common)
- Black, Tan & Bluetick (uncommon)
- Tan & White (uncommon)
- Blue, Tan & White (uncommon)
- Lemon & White (uncommon)
Shedding
Pocket Beagles do not have particularly fluffy coats, however they are still known to shed significantly.
Periods of shedding do not occur instantly for this breed. Instead, they will go through a series of hair development stages before the fur actually sheds. The four stages are outlined below.
Anagen: This is known as the “active phase” – The beagle’s hair grows consistently and every single hair follicle forms a new shaft.
Catagen: This stage signals the end of the dog’s hair growth period – Each hair is effectively cut off from the dog’s blood supply and the cells that facilitate hair growth. This stage usually lasts about 10 days.
Telogen: This stage is characterized by the dog’s hair resting in the follicles but not actually growing anymore. It lasts about 3 months.
Exogen: This is the final stage, and the one associated with shedding. Hairs are released from their follicles and fall out. This stage usually lasts somewhere between 2 and 5 months. It is important to prepare yourself as a beagle owner for this stage in order to properly groom and mediate the amount of hair left around the house!
Grooming
Beagles are known for being quite clean, and don’t develop much of a stink or strong odour.
These dogs should be brushed at least once a week with a medium-bristle brush or a “hound glove”, which is a rubber mitt with rounded nubs on the palm. This will help loosen and get rid of dead hair, while promoting new healthy hair growth.
The Beagle breed is known for being drop-eared. Their large, drooping ears do not allow for much air circulation inside their ears, which can lead to infections.
It is important to clean and check their ears at least every two weeks to detect any issues. If your dog is shaking its head a lot or is excessively scratching at the ears, these are telltale signs that something could be wrong and should be addressed.
Lifespan
The typical lifespan of a Pocket Beagle is known to be somewhere in the 12 to 15 year range.
Health Concerns
There are a number of health concerns and issues that are commonly experienced by the Beagle breed. Here are a few of the most prevalent problems to be aware of.
Eye Disorders: Beagles are known for experiencing common canine eye disorders like cherry eye (swelling of the third eyelid gland), glaucoma, cataracts and retinal dysplasia
Epilepsy: A brain disorder that causes uncontrollable seizures is common in Beagles
Hypothyroidism: A malfunctioning of the thyroid gland that causes weight gain, reproductive issues and other problems. This is common in Beagles.
Patellar luxation: A luxating patella is a kneecap that moves out of its normal location. Beagle owners may notice a skip in their dog’s step or see their dog run on three legs.
Intervertebral Disc Disease: Canine intervertebral disc disease (IVDD) occurs when a disc in your dog’s spine is ruptured or herniated, leaking its contents and causing severe inflammation and pain for your best friend.
Popularity
The Beagle is one of the most popular dogs in the world, ranking as the 6th most common dog in the United States.
Are Pocket Beagles Rare?
The true Pocket Beagle breed existed in medieval times, small enough to fit inside a hunter’s saddlebag, hence the prefix “pocket”.
This breed and its genetic bloodlines are actually completely extinct.
What Is The Difference Between A Beagle And A Pocket Beagle?
The main difference between a Beagle and a Pocket Beagle, as the name suggests, is a difference in the size of the dog.
Standard Beagles are typically between 13 and 16 inches and 18 to 35 pounds, while Pocket Beagles are somewhere between 7 and 12 inches and 7 to 15 pounds.
The Pocket Beagle also tends to have a narrower muzzle, a more obvious underbite and a tongue that protrudes. Their body shape makes their limbs look unproportioned in comparison to their standard sized counterparts.
How Much Does A Pocket Beagle Cost?
The price range of a Pocket Beagle puppy is quite large, often falling somewhere between $200 to $2000 depending on a number of factors.
Dan is a well respected content researcher who has vast experience working projects in the pets niche. He is a frequent contributor to dogtemperament.com and loves delivering numerous helpful dog articles like this one that are read by thousands of our readers monthly.
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